Massaging machine



April 7, 1936. G. BERGMAN' MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1954 J7 3536 ya W 32 J wwwa 'I J1 l a 4% l ,W w w m www@ R. Y. O E Mm N Em m www4 n Ih 'A w r 1 m ,bm u .a G\ Y B if wall-l 2 6 m 6 Ill:

Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGING MACHINE Gustaf Bergman, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 29, 1934, Serial No. 708,829 s claims. 01. 12s-48) My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a massaging machine adapted for use in massaging various parts of the body, and has for its object the provision of a machine of thisclass which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, highly eiicient in use, light and compact.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a massaging machine having a movable contact portion, and provided with an actuating mechanism, whereby upon the rotation of a certain part, various types of movements may be imparted to the contact portion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plate for transmitting movements to a contact portion, and provided with eccentric means of actuation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understod by a reference to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this speciiication, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view partly shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the invention partly shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig.` 1. v

Fig. 4 is a central, longitudinal, sectional View of a modified form of Jthe invention.

Inthe form of adaptation of the invention,

ywhich is illustrated in the rst three figures of the drawing, the invention is particularly adapted for use as a foot massaging machine, although from the description, it will be obvious that the mechanical structure employed may be used for different types of massaging apparatus.

As illustrated, the invention comprises a base 1, on which is detachably mounted a suitable lcover 8, having a top I),v and supporting partitions IU and I|. The partition II is cut away at l2. Mounted at one end of the base 1 and supported by suitable posts I4, is an electric motor I3, on the shaft I5 of which is mounted a pulley I6, adapted to drive the endless belt I1, which passes through the cut away portion I2 of the partition I I, and serves to drive the pulley I8.

This pulley I8 is fixedly mounted on the shaft '|9. One end of this shaft I9 is journalled in the base 20 of the supporting frame, and the upper end of the shaft I9 is journalled in the top 2| of this supporting frame. 'Ihe top 2| and the bottom 28 are connected by the end walls 22 and 23, projecting outwardly from which are the portions 24 of the bottom, through which the bolts 25 may be projected to secure the supporting frame in position on the base 1.

A portion 26 of the shaft I9 projects above the top 2| and is eccentric to the main part of the shaft I9. This eccentric portion 26 rotatably engages in a sleeve or boss 28, projecting upwardly from an actuating plate 21. The top 9 is cut away as at 29, to provide a suitable recess for the sleeve or boss 28. Formed on one end of the plate 21 is a sleeve or boss 30, and an opening 38 extends through the boss and plate. A similar boss or sleeve 3|, with an opening 3|', is formed adjacent the opposite end of the plate 21. A cover 32 held in position at its marginal edges by its retaining bead 44, extends over the upper surface of the top 9, and this cover is cut away as at 34, so as to project slightly inwardly of the opening 33 formed in the top 9. A similar opening 43 is formed in the cover 32, so as to project inwardly of the edge of the opening 42 formed in the cover top 9. These openings 42 and 33 are substantially centrally located relative to the sleeves or bosses 30 and 3|.

At each of these openings 33 and 42, there is provided a movable contact member, and the various parts of the contact member at the opening 42 are similarly numbered, as are the parts of the contact member at the opening 33, excepting that 'the numbers indicating the parts at the opening 42, are indicated as prime numbers. This contact member comprises a head 35, which may be formed from suitable material, which will possess suicient rigidity for the purposes intended and yet not form a hard unyieldable body. The member 35 may be formed from felt, leather, rubber or the like. Secured to the under surface of the head 35 is a hub 36. The upper surface of the head 35 is covered by the layer 31, which is held in position by the retaining ring 4I and the screws 48. This layer 31 is flexible, and may be formed from rubber or other suitable material. A head 38, formed on the actuating or guide pin 39, is embedded in the member 35, and the pin 39 projects through the hub 36, and slidably engages in the channel 3| or 30', as the case may be. A spring 40 embraces the boss 3| or 38, as the case may be, and engages at one end, the plate 21, and at the other end the hub 36.

A rod 45 engages at its lower end in a pocket or recess 46, formed on the upper surface of the bottom 20 of the supporting frame. At its upper end, this rod engages in the pocket or recess 41,

formed in the under surface of the plate 21. At the opposite end of the plate 2l is provided a similar rod 55', which engages in the recesses 46 and 41.

The construction is such that, upon the operation of the motor i3, the pulley I8 will effect a rotation of the shaft I9. The eccentric part 25, being integral with the shaft I9, will also rotate in the sleeve 28. This will effect a revolving movement of the plate 21, which will'be'transmitted to the movable contact members Ythrough the pins 39 and 39. As the plate 2l' is revolved by the cam shaft, the pins 45 and 45 will swing on their lower end, the upper ends describing circles or ellipses. These pins project through the openings formed in the top 2l and these openings are sufficiently large to permit the swinging movement of the pins 45 and 45. The springs 4I) which embrace the bosses or sleeves 30 and 3| and engage at one of their ends the members 56 and 35', will serve to maintain the contact members thrust outwardly even while the revolving motion yis being transmitted thereto.

Thus I have provided a mechanism whereby rotary power may be transmitted to a movable contact member in a number of directions, so as to produce a revolving motion in the contact member. Consequently, it is obvious that the foot or other portion of the body placed upon the vcover top 9, over the movable contact member, will be thoroughly massaged by the contact member.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a modified form of the invention, whereby substantially the same revolving motion may be transmitted to a movable contact member mounted on a handle or a hand applicator. In this form of the invention, I provide a hollow handle @5, which carries a head 59, hollowed out at 5I to provide a cup shaped structure. Over this cup shaped structure is mounted a movable contact member consisting of the cover 52, held in position by the metallic ring 153 and the bead 54. The cover 52 extends over the'head 55, which carries the hub 55 and the pin 5l. The pin 51 slidably projects into thesocket 512, which is formed eccentric in the rod59, which is rotated by the flexible shaft G3 projecting into the flat faced bore 55. This flexible shaft 63 extends into the customary sheath 52, which is securedn the handle 49 by the nut 6I. The rod 59 is journalled at one end in the handle 49, and at its opposite end in the bearing lSLL Thel upper Y end of the rod `59 is reduced in diameter to provide a shoulder' 6,5 against rwhichfengages a washer 51. One end of a spring 58 engages the upper surface of the washerY 6.1 and the other end of the spring engages the hub 55.

The movements of the contact member, in the modified form, are substantially identical with the movements of the Contact members shown in the other form. When the rod 59 is rotated by the iexible shaft, the pin 57 will be carrie Varound to transmit revolving motion to the con- This form of construction affords an adaptation of the mechanical movement obtact member.

act-ias?? claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. A massaging machine comprising: a flexible contact member for engaging aportion of the body; a rotatably mounted eccentric member; a plate having an opening formed therethrough for reception of said eccentric member, said eccentric member being rotatable in said-opening for effecting a revolving movement of said plate; means for connecting said contact member to said plate for transmitting revolving movement to said contact member; and resilient means for normally retaining said contact member thrust outwardly ufrom said plate.

2. A massaging machine of the class described comprising: a pair of iiexible contact members in Y' spaced relation for engaging portion of the body; a pin secured to each of said contact memf bers and projected inwardly; a plate extending between said contact members and positioned beneath the same, said plate having formed at each of its ends an`opening `-for the loose reception of the pin projecting from the Ycontact member, said plate having anopening formed intermediate its ends; a rotatable shaft; a crank portionV on the end of said shaft engaging in the intermediate opening in said plate and rotatable therein and Y adapted upon rotation of said shaft for transends; a rotatable-shaft; a crank portion on the end of said shaft engaging in the intermediate opening in' said plate and rotatable therein and adapted upon rotation Yof said shaft for transmitting a revolving movement Yto said plate and said contact members; and a spring at reach of said Contact members for normally retaining the same spaced outwardly from-said plate. Y Y

4. A massaging machine ofthe class described comprising: a pair of spaced iiexible contact Ymembers for engaging a portion of the body; a rotatable eccentric member; a plate. having an opening formed therein forreception-of saideccentric member, said eccentric member being rotatable therein and adaptedupo-n rotation for effecting a revolving movement of said plate, said plate having an opening fcrmed'at each of its ends; a pin secured to each of said contact members and siidab-ly projected through oneof the end openings of said plate. e

5. A massaging machine of the class described, comprising: a pair of spaced fiexible'contact members for engaging a portion ofthe body; a

rotatable eccentric member; 4a plate having an opening formed therein for reception of said eccentric member, said eccentric member being rotatable therein and adapted, upon rotation, for effecting a revolvingmovement of said plate, said plate having an opening formed at each ofpits ends; a pin-secured to each of said contact members and slidably projected through one of the end openings of said plate; and a pair of springs, each engaging at one end said plate and at the opposite enda contact member for urging movement of the contact member outwardly from said plate.

6. A massaging machine of the class described comprising: a pair of spaced exible contact members for engaging a portion of the body; a rotatable eccentric member; 4a plate having an opening formed therein for reception of said eccentric member, said eccentric member being rotatabie therein and adapted, upon rotation, for eiecting a revolving movement of said plate, said plate having an opening formed at each of its ends; a pin secured to each of said contact members and slidably projected through one of the end openings of said plate; a pair of springs, each engaging at one end said plate and at the opposite end a contact member for urging movement of the contact member outwardly from said plate; and means for engaging opposite ends of said plate for resisting tilting movement of the same without interfering with the revolving movement thereof.

GUSTAF BERGMAN. 

